Jonty Rhodes of South Africa

19 May 1999: Jonty Rhodes of South Africa reverse sweeps the ball during the Cricket World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka played at The County Ground in Northampton, England. South Africa won the game by 89 runs. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster /Allsport

Jonty Rhodes: Fielder par excellence

•27 July 2013

Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes was born on 27 July 1969 in Pietermaritzberg, Natal.

Rhodes was a handy middle-order batsman, but was better known as one of the greatest fielders to play the game.

The Rhodes legend started with his diving run-out of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the 1992 World Cup and grew as he excelled at backward point and took incredible catches as well as scampering around the field.

Such was his reputation that opposition batsmen would think twice before running if the ball was anywhere in Rhodes' vicinity. He also ran like a hare and his quick singles were a delight to watch and was also one of the early exponents of the reverse sweep.

Rhodes also represented South Africa in hockey and was called up for trials to play in the 1996 Olympics but was ruled out by a hamstring injury. [TAG:CYCSPL]